Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: The orthopedic surgeon completed an arthroscopic Bankart repair and arthroscopic posterior remplissage procedure of the shoulder. What codes can I submit?

Texas Subscriber

Answer: Arthroscopic Bankart repair is 29806 (Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; capsulorrhaphy). CPT does not have a code for arthroscopic posterior remplissage, so report 29999 (Unlisted procedure, arthroscopy). For reimbursement purposes, compare the procedure to 23465 (Capsulorrhaphy, glenohumeral joint, posterior, with or without bone block), which has a national average Medicare reimbursement of $1,057.64 (or 29.31 total RVU, based on the current national conversion factor of 36.0846).